Typographical composing machine



Aug. 1, 1933. w. ACKERMAN ET! AL TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 11, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet l ATORNES Aug. 1, 1933. w. ACKERMAN ET AL 1,920,332

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 11, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 NNN INV TORS 6fl W 1 ATTORN S 1933- w. ACKERMAN ET AL TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 11, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN 0R5 WRNEYS j r g- 1, 1933- w. ACKERMAN ET m.- 1,920,832

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACEINE Filed Sept. 11, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 P14 /L;' 9 u 5W4W S BY Aug. 1, 1933.

w. ACKERMAN ET AL TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPO SING MACHINE Filed Sept. 11, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Mal TIL Aug. 1, 1933- w. ACKERMAN ET AL TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 11. 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet INVEETORS f BY {K ATTO NEYS 1933- w. ACKERMAN ET AL 1,920,832

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOS ING MACHINE Filed Sept. 11, 1929 7 SheetsSheet 7 CAD Patented Aug. 1, 1933 4 1,920,832 v TYPQGRAPHICAL CUMPO SING MACHINE William Ackerman, Tcwners, and George P.

Kingsbury, Hollis, N. Y., assignors to Morgenthaler Linotype Company, a Corporation of New York Application September 11, 1929 Serial No. 391,752

10 Claims.

lhis invention relates to typographical composing machines, such as linotype machines, wherein circulating matrices are released from a magazine in the order in which their charactors are to appear in print and then composed in line in an assembling elevator, the compose ine transfer" ed to the face of a mold, the mold filled with molten metal to form a slug or lino type against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, and the matrices thereafter returned to the magazine from which they started. The matrices most commonly employed int ese machines are of the two-letter variety, that is to say, matrices bearing on their casting edges two superposed characters of the same body size but of different face (usually one and the other italic), and means are provided whereby the matrices passing to the line may be composed at two different levels in order to bring the upper or lower characters into casting position as desired. In the standard commercial machines, the assembling elevator is :quipped with what is known as an auxiliary duplex rail which'comprises a relatively fixed long section and movable short section, the lat ter being arranged at the receiving end of the elevator and adjustable into and out of the path of incoming matrices so as to arrest them at the upper level or allow them to pass to the lower level, and the former serving to maintain the arrested matrices at the upper level as t .e composition of the line progresses. Lines made up wholly of roman or italic characters, or lines made up or" both kinds of characters, may in this way be composed by an adjustment of the short rail section prior to or during the composition of the line.

The present invention relates, more particulariv, to automatic machines, such as those operated by a perforated tape or strip, and contemplates the operation the short assembler rail section automatically by special symbols produced in the perforated tape, the idea being to adapt these automatic or tape-controlled machines to handle the regular two-letter matrices as well ingie letter matrices The exact manner in which this is accomplished will best be understood from the detailed description to follow.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention been shown merely in preie red form and ay of example, but obviously many changes variations be therein and in its mode of operation, which will still be comprised within itsrcope. It is, therefore, to be under-- stood that the invention is not limited to any specified form or embodiment except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 is a front view of an automatic or tapecontrolled linotype machine equipped with the present improvements;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken through the keyboard mechanism, showing in plan the assembling elevator and the electrical distributing device;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through the keyboard mechanism, showing the lower end of a magazine and intermediate connections;

.Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the electrical distributing device, showing in perspective the means for operating the assembler rail and, diagrammatically, the various electrical connections between the'parts;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged front elevation, partly in section and broken away, of the tape feeding mechanism and the electrical distributing device;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation, showing the manner of assembling matrices at the upper level;

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 7, showing the manner of assembling matrices at the'lower level;

Fig. 9 is a detail plan View of the receiving end of the improved assembling elevator;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged horizontal section, shows ing the duplex rail and parts associated therewith;

Fig. 11 is a vertical section taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a diagram, showing the electrical connections'by which the tape controls the operation of both, the matrix releasing mechanism and the adjustable short rail section.

The matrices K (see Fig. 3), of the regular two-letter variety, are stored in the inclined channeled magazine A and are released there from one at a time under thecontrol of escapements A the latter being actuated by a series of vertical reciprocating, reeds A through a corresponding series of pivoted levers A from a tape-controlled keyboard mechanism, later to be described.

The matrices, as released, are directed by the usual channel front plate B (Fig. 1) onto a constantly driven inclined belt 13 which delivers them, one after another, in the order of their release to an assembling elevator or assembler the matrices are assembled at the lower lever to" locate the upper characters in casting position, and with a so-called duplex rail C arranged above the front rail C and upon which the matrices may be assembled at the upper level to bring their lower characters in casting position. The auxiliary rail C consists of a relatively short section C arranged at the receiving end of the elevator and a longer section C which latter forms a continuation of the short section and serves to maintain the matrices at the upper level as they are pushed on the short section. The short rail section C is slidably mounted in the' front wall of the elevator C and is adjustable back and forth into and out of the path of the descending matrices X, being adapted in its rear or active position to arrest the matrices at the upper level and in its forward or inactive position to allow sufficient space between the star wheel and the adjacent end of the long rail section C for the matrices to pass freely to the lower rails C As tlue assembling elevator is ordinarily constructed, in the composition or" lines containing both roman and italic characters, one or more matrices remain upon the short rail section when it is desired to assemble the next succeeding matrices at the lower level, and it is common practice at such times to delay the adjustment of the'short rail section to its inactiveposition until the said succeeding matrices, under the influence of the star wheel, have advanced those upon the short rail section oi the same and onto the longer section or" the duplex rail. In the present instance, however, and primarily for reasons later toappear, the adjustable rail section C (see Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive) is made substantially shorter than the standardrail'section, and the star wheel is arranged to push the individual matrices off said rail section immediately they enter the elevator, so that this rail section will always be clear of matrices and may therefore be adjusted to its inactive position at any time without danger of dropping matrices to the lower rails C The star wheel D, as will be noted (Figs. '2 and 8), is substantially elliptical in form, presenting only two points instead of the usual four, and is adapted at each half rotation to present a reduced face portion to' the descending matrices so as to afford ample space for the latter to clear the exposed end of the long section C" of the duplex railwhen the short section C is out of action. Wh'ilethe room thus provided is somewhat less than that ordinarily al lowed, suitable compensation for the difierence is made by a guard or'defiector- C, which is intended, in the inactive position of the short rail section C, to guide the matrices past the rail section C and thus insure their delivery to the lower rails C. V

The short section C of the duplex rail C (as best shown in Fig. 10) is carried by one arm of a horizontal U-shaped slide plate C, which is apertured at c to receive the upper end of a vertically disposed operating lever C and is also formed with a stop shoulder 0 adapted by its engagement with the front face of the elevator to limit the inward movement of the plate C and locate the rail section C in its active position. The movement of the plate C in the opposite direction is limited by the engagement of the ofiset end portion of the short rail C, with the rear wall of a recess 0 formed in an upright side member of the elevator (see Fig. 3). The deflector C rises from one end of a horizontal lever C pivotally mounted on the body portion of the long rail section C (the latter being fixed and connected at its opposite end to the other arm of the U-shaped plate C.

The foregoing arrangement is such that when the plate C is pushed rearwardly to locate the short rail section in its active position, the d"- fiector C through the lever C, will be moved forwardly out of the path of the descending matrices (see the full line showing in Figs. 10 and 11), and when the plate C is pulled forwardly to draw the rail section C out of action, the deflector will be moved rearwardly and its guiding edge located directly above the contiguous end of the fixed rail section C (see the dotted line showing in said figures). In order that the deflector C under the latter adjustment may clear the lower projecting ears of matrices supported by the long rail section C, it is formed in its rear face with a recess 0 (see Fig. 8). Hence, it will be seen that the level at which the matrices are composed may be properly controlled by a single adjustment of the plate C and this without regard to the matrices already assembled.

The above described improvements in the assembling. elevator in themselves are the invention of another but their use in connection with the automatic or tape-controlled mechanism about to be described constitutes a part of the present invention. In this connection, how ever, it may be stated that the present invention contemplates any other form or arrangement of the parts which will allow the matrices to be assembled at different levels during the composition of a line, whether the number of matrices assembled at the upper level at any place or places in the line be one only or a larger number.

The keyboard mechanism provided for effecting the release of the individual matrices from the magazine A, like that employed in the wellknown teletypesetter, is controlled automatically through suitable electrical devices (presently to be described) from a perforated tape T, the symbols of which are produced therein according to a definite code or system to represent the matrices and spacers to be released in composing the lines. This mechanism (see Figs. 1, 2 and 3) is carried in a frame G arranged at the rear of the keyboard H and fastened to upright side posts G G rising from fixed bracket members H of the keyboard base frame H The operative elements thereof consist of a series of vertical slides G mounted and guided in the frame G and formed in their rear edges (see Fig. 3) with notches g and at their extreme lower ends with rearwardly facing lugs or shoulders 1 These slides G correspond in number to the escapement actuating reeds A and are arranged below the same with their upper ends in position to control, through trip dogs G two rows of cam yokes G the latter being pivoted at their outer ends and disposed horizontally above .a'pair' of rolls G driven constantly by a belt G from the intermediate shaft M (see Fig. 1). The inner ends of the yokes G are located directly beneath the respective reeds A so that when a slide G is raised, the cam yoke associated-therewith will be released by the intervening trip dog and its rotary cam allowed to engage the periphery of the underlying roll G This engagement causes rotation of the cam and the upward rocking of the yoke, which latter is adapted inturn to engage the reed above and lift it to actuate a corresponding escapement.

These power operated devices are essentially the same as those employed in the standard linotype machine, and a more detailed descrip tion thereof is therefore unnecessary.

, The slides G are raised by means of springactuated detents G mounted in the frame G rightand anchored-to a fixed bracket 0 of the main frame, holds the bar resiliently in its looking position, and a solenoid J (Fig. 2) is employed to swing the bar against the tensionv of said spring to its releasing position. The solenoid J Tis supported by a fixed bracket arm J and its core member is provided with a finger J which projects forwardly therefrom and engages in a transverse aperture formed in the bar J. a

The operation of the vertical slides G is controlled by a seriesof six horizontal main notched locking bars K j and a master or auxiliary notched locking bar L, all of which are slidably mounted in the frame G for a slight longitudinal movement in opposite directions and ar arranged in superposed spaced relation with their front or notched edges engaged with the respective notches g of the slides G The master bar L (the lowermost one of the series) is shorter than, the bars K and is sustained at its opposite ends by pin and slot connections (not shown), which also serve to limit its longitudinal movement. Such movement of the bar L is eifected by means of a pair of special slides L L (Fig. 2) located respectively adjacent the opposite ends of the barandwhich, in many respects, are similar to the slides G being formed with corresponding notches Z and at their lower ends with lugs Z forengagement with the retaining bar J. Unlike the slides G however, the special slides L L are also formed with beveled cam surface Z (Fig. 4) and, moreover, have no connection whatever with the cam yokes G or the associated reeds A Their only function is to shift the bar L in one direction or the other as they are raised by means of springactuated detents, which are similar to but somewhat'larger than the detents G of the slides G so as to be capable of overcoming the frictional resistance presented by the bar L.

The main locking bars K are held resiliently toward the right, under the tension of pull springs K against a vertical stop plate K which is secured to the right-hand post G and projects into a recess is formed in each of said bars (E ig. The shifting of the bars in the opposite direction is effected by a series of magnets K each bar being connected to an individual magnet and operable thereby independently of the other bars. The several magnets (Fig. 2) are mounted upon and conveniently distributed around a supporting bracket K which is secured to the fixed bracket 0 and formed with lateral extensions K the latter being located adjacent the respective magnets and projecting slightly beyond the outer ends thereof. The locking bars K extend through openings in both of said brackets and are operatively connected to the respective magnets by intermediate plate levers K hinged to the extensions K and provided with contact points K aligned with the magnet cores or poles.

The front edges OJ. the bars K are formed with notches k and intervening teeth or looking portion k (see Fig. 2). The arrangement of these notches in the respective bars is such that by shifting the bars singly or in groups a slight distance to the left, they will provide a series of releasing combinations, one for each of the slides G Since but six locking bars K are employed to make upthe releasing combinations for the slides G the highest possible number of combinations available would not be great enough to provide a separate combination for each of the dilferent characters comprised within the normal matrix font of a linotype machine (usually or more), and for this reason the releasing combinations on the bars K are duplicated for the corresponding characters of the upper and lower cases, the master bar L serving by its adiustment in one direction to lock the group of slides controlling the release of the lower case characters when the upper case is being used, and by its adjustment in the'opposite direction to lock the group of slides controlling the re lease of the uppercase characters when the lower case is in use. In this connection, it may be stated for the sake of clearness that the special slides, which control the movements of the master bar, are released by separate combinations produced by shifting different groups of the bars K. The mechanism just described is similar to that disclosed in the pending application to Ackerman, Ser. No. 349,240, to which reference may be had, if desired.

The series of magnets K as indicated by the diagram of Fig. 12, are energized from a generator Y through separate circuits, established by a corresponding series of vertically movable needles or plungers P, which are arranged to cooperate with the symbols in the tape as the lat ter is fed horizontally, step by'step, beneath them. The needles P constitute part of an electrical distributing mechanism, such as that new ally employed in connection with tape-controlled type-casting machines and, as illustrated herein, is arranged conveniently adjacent the keyboard H (see Figs. 1 and 2). The tape T, as commonly produced, contains a continuous line of feed perforations t, extending longitudinally lilo rises from one corner 'of a rectangularly shaped base plate P The top guide plate P is provided with a row of six perforations p divided into groups of three each, to correspond with the symbols in the tape, and are located directly above a corresponding series of elongated mercury wells p formed in the insulating block P These walls are tapped to admit leads y which are passed upwardly through an aperture P formed in the ledge P and connected to the respective locking bar magnets K The plungers P arecarried by upper and lower horizontal flanges P", P respectively, which project forwardly in horizontal planes above the tapefrom the upper portion of a vertically reciprocatingslidel mounted in the stand bracket P As best shown in Fig. 4, the plungers P are vertically-aligned with the terminal wells p and are provided respectively with stop collars p which bank against the upper face of the lower flange P and above which are arranged light coil springs P adapted to react against the upper flange P when the plungers are pushed upwardly. The flanges P are thus normally sustained at a common level with their lower ends just clearing the top plate P, but are capable of yielding independently against the tension of the springs P by contact with the tape when the slide P is moved downwardly to carry the plungers into the wells p The operation of the slide P is effected by a cam P keyed or otherwise secured to a constantlydriven shaft P, which is journalled in end bearing posts P P rising from the rear edge of the base plate P at the opposite sides thereof. The cam P is adapted by its rotation to actuate the slide through the medium of a fore and aft lever P the downward movement of the slide taking place against the tension of a compression spring P seated in the base plate P beneath the slide. The lever P is pivoted about midway of its length to an arm P projecting upwardly from the bearing post P and has its front end loosely engaged in a bearing block of insulation p fitted into the body of the slide P At its rear end, the lever P is provided with an anti-friction roller 10 which rides over the edge of the cam P as the latter rotates. The shaft P (see Fig. 1) receives its motion from a small motor P" through a pair of reducing gears P journalled on astub shaft P projecting laterally from the base plate P directly below the shaft P All of the plungers P are charged simultaneously from the positive main Y (Fig. 12) through the slide P, the latter, as will be observed, being insulated from the base plate and provided at its lower end with a contact face P, which is adapted, when the slide is moved downwardly, to engage a positive branch terminal P of the generator Y. At such times, the

plungers aligned with the perforation symbols,

t in the tape are allowed to enter the wells p and close a series of the circuits 1; leading to the corresponding magnets K and thence through the returns .2 and negative main Z back to the generator Y. r

In order to prevent sparks between the ends of the plungers and the mercury wells, which might result in the destruction of the tape, or the carbonizing of the contact points P and P these circuits are made and broken by means of a commutator Q mounted on the shaft P and presenting high concentric and low or cutaway portions q q respectively, which, for

reasons about to appear, bear a definite relation tothe cam P. The commutator Q (see Figs. 4 and 6) is constantly charged from the generator Y through a brush Q fastened to a fixed insulating plate Q and is adapted during each rotation to transmit the charge intermittently to the slide P and the spring plungers P. This is accomplished by means of a second brush Q which is connected by a lead g to the terminal P and arranged adjacent the brush Q directly in line with the low portion 11 of the commutator.

According to the above arrangement, the brush Q will not be engaged by the high por tion q of the commutator until the cam P through the pivoted lever P has moved the slide P downwardly and engaged the contact points P P and the cam P will maintain the slide in its lowermost position until the low portion q of the commutator is brought opposite the brush Q The difierent'circuits for energizing the magnets K are in this way made and broken while the contact pointsP and 1 are engaged and the lower ends of the plungers P are still in the mercury wells 12 The commutator Q also serves to make and break the circuit which energizes the solenoid J and which controls the operation of the bar J for returning the slides G to their normal position after they have been released by the locking bars K, it being noted by further reference to the diagram of Fig. 12 that the lead Y to the solenoid J is also taken from the brush Q The mechanism employed for feeding the tape T beneath the plungers P may be of any approved construction so long as its operation is synchronized with that of the reciprocating slide P This mechanism (as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6-) consists of a pair of feed rollers R 1'1. arranged one above the other and between which the tape is passed. The shafts of these rollers are journalled, in front and rear bearing arms R R respectively, formed on a subsidiary bracket R fastened to the stand bracket P. The lower roller R is provided with teeth or pins 1 adapted to engage the feed perforations t of the tape, and the upper roller R is formed with a corresponding peripheral groove r (Fig. 2) to clear the teeth 1. The shaft of the lower roller is rotated by means of a ratchet wheel R fastened thereon adjacent the rear bearing R and with which is associated a feed pawl R and a retarding detent R the former being pivotally connected to a lateral arm P of the slide P and the latter similarly connected to a lug R projecting from the bearing arm B. By this arrangement, as the slide P is moved downwardly to carry the plungers P through the perforations t of the tape, the feed pawl rides idly over the teeth of the ratchet wheel R, but on the upward movement of the slide the pawl is adapted, as the plungers leave the tape, to engage and turn the ratchet and through the toothed roller R, advance the tape to bring the next row of perforations t beneath the plungers P. Thus, as the slide is reciprocated, the ratchet wheel R is rotated intermittently by the pawl R. and the tape is advanced, step by step, past the plungers P.

Since, as previously stated, the matrices released from the magazine A may be assembled at a high or low level in the assembling elevator C by merely adjusting the slide plate C back and forth to carry the short rail section of the auxiliary rail'C into and out of action, it

left, the slide S will be released, whereas, when 5 stated, operates the 'U-shaped plate C 8 of the switch members S S is proposed, in carrying out the invention, to effect such adjustment automatically by special symbols produced in the tape T. To end this, there is provided a pair of extra vertical slides S S arranged side by side at the extreme left of the keyboard, inline with the slides G (see Fig. 2). These extra slides, like the slides L L have no connection with the cam. yokes G but are otherwise similar to the slides G being formed in their rear edges with corresponding notches s to cooperate with the bars K'and at their lower ends with lugs s to cooperate with the retaining .bar J. 'In .this connection,'it will be understood that the slides SH'S are also adapted to rise under the influence of spring detents (not shown) as the retaining bar is raised, and that their releasing combinations are produced by shifting selected groups or" the locking bars K. The particular bars chosen for the release of the slide's 'are those designated 0-1--2 in Fig. 4, and for the release of the slide S those designated 0-l3 in said figure. That is to say, when the three locking bars first mentioned are shifted to the the three bars last mentioned are shifted to the left, the slide S will be released.

The operation of the bars K in releasing the slides S and S will be automatically carried out in precisely the same manner as hereinbefore described, when'the corresponding symbols in the tape arebrought beneath the spring plungers P. The slides S S in rising. are adapted by means of suitable switch members S '3 to close separate circuits 20, which pass from asecond positive branch terminal 6 0i the generator Y, through a pair of small magnets V W, the latter being mounted in a bracket V secured to the assembling elevator C. 5 These magnets face each other and are spaced apart to admit between their respective poles a common armature V -formed at the lower end of the actuating lever C which, as previously The lever 0 (best shown in Fig. 3) is pivotally attached between its ends toan upright extension V of the bracket V and is provided with a small friction plate 0 for restraining it against accidental displacement in its different adjusted positions.

The switch members S S are hingedly' mounted near the top of the-'frameGlsee Fig. 3) and have their 'free ends normally resting upon the upper horizontal edges of the respective slides S .8 being insulated from each other, as well as from the slides and frame. Each of the switch members is provided with a contact point s and a binding screw .9 to which latter are connected the branch leads w forenergizing the respective magnets W, V (Figs. 4 and 12). The terminal S is fastened to but insulated from a fixed cross bar of the frame-work and is provided with two contact points s s arranged directly above the points from the generator Y is transmitted to the terminal S through a commutator. S and a pair of brushes S S the latter being secured to the insulating plate Q and arranged alongside the brushes Q ,-Q The commutator S is mounted on the shaft P from which it is insulated, and is substantially the same in form as the commutator Q before described. The brush S which, (like the brush Q of the commutator Q), is connected directly to the positive main The current Y is constantly engaged with the high concentric surface of the commutator S while the brush S isintermittently engaged thereby as the commutator is rotated and, through the promary lead w charges the branch terminal S The charging of the terminal S is timed to take place immediately after one of the slides S or S has risen and is discontinued beferethe bar J returns the slide to its normal position, so that sparks between the contact point 8 and s 8 may be avoided.

It will now be seen that when one or the other of the special perforation symbols produced in the tape is brought beneath the plungers P, the corresponding group of locking bars (0-l-'2 or 0 13) will be shifted to the left and cause the release of the associated slide S or S as the case maybe. If the slide S is the one released, the switch member S will be lifted into contact with the point s of the terminal S and, as the latter is charged, a complete circuit through the rear magnet V will be established. The armature V of the lever C is thus attracted to the pole of said magnet V and the lever is operated to withdraw the short rail section C from its active to its inactive position. As'the tape is advanced, matrices subsequently released thereby will then be directed to the lower level in the assembling elevator C until the symbol representing the combination for the slide S is brought beneath the distributingplungers P. At this time, the slide S is released and in rising will lift the'switch member S into contact with the point 8 of the terminal S so as to establish a circuit through the front magnet V As the magnet is energized, the operation of the lever C will be reversed and the short rail section C moved to its active position. Matrices entering the elevator C will then be assembled at the upper level therein, as previously described.

Asa result of the foregoing arrangement, the special symbols for effecting the adjustment of the assembler rail may occur in the tape at any predetermined point desired, either a step in advance of a group of symbols representative of a composed line of matrices and spacers, or be included within a group, so that complete lines of. roman or italic characters, or lines containing both kinds of characters, may be automatically assembled. The whole operation is entirely automatic, the matrices not only being released under the control of the perforated tape but their level in the composed line being determined in advance by the tape. In fact, as will be remembered, the same locking bars which govern the release of the matrices are employed for the operation of the short rail section of the assembler. Since no matrices are allowed to remain upon the short rail section when in action, its withdrawal can be effected at any time and even though a single matrix may have previously been assembled at the upper level. 7

Having thus described ourinvention, what We claim is,'as follows:

1. In a typographical composing mechanism, the combination of a magazine containing a set of two-character matrices, escapements controlling the release of the matrices therefrom, a'

tion singly'or in groups to establish different combinations in controlling the operation of the individual reeds, an assembler wherein the released matrices are composed in line, an auxiliary rail section mounted'in the assembler and adjustable to different positions to control the level at which the matricesiare composed, electrical means for operating the rail, a perforated tape feed mechanism, means responsive to certain symbols in the tape for operating the locking bars, and means responsive to other symbols in the tape for controlling the operation of the assembler rail section.

2. In a typographical composing mechanism, the combination of a magazine containing a set of two-character matrices, escapements controlling the release of the matrices therefrom, a series of power-operated reeds for actuating the escapements, a corresponding series of slides controlling the operation of said reeds, a series of locking bars cooperating directly with the slides and movable to active or inactive position singly or in groups to establish different combinations in controlling the operation of the in- -tain symbols in the tape foroperating the looking bars, and meansv controlled by the locking bars and responsive to the other symbols in the tape for controlling the operation of the as.

sembler rail section.

combination of a magazine containing a set of two-character matrices, escapements controlling the release of the matrices therefrom, a series of powereoperated reeds for actuating the escape ments, a corresponding series of slides controlling the operation of said reeds, a series of locking bars cooperating directly with the slides and operable automatically and movable to active or inactive position singly or in groups to establish different combinations in controlling the operation of the individual reeds, an assembler whereinthe released matrices are composed in line, an auxiliam railv section mounted in the assembler and adjustable to different positions to control the. level at which the matrices are composed, a pair of magnets ,for' operating the rail section, and switches controlled by separate combinations of said bars for closing a circuit to one or the other of said magnets as required.

4. In a typographical composing machine, the combination'of a magazine containing a set of two-character matrices, automatic mechanism for effecting the release of the matrices therefrom, an assembler wherein the matrices may be composed at an upper or lower level to bring one or the other of they matrix, characters into casting position, a short auxiliary rail section mounted at the receiving end of the assembler and adjustable into and out of action to control the level at which the matrices are composed, a line resistant finger, a star wheel acting in opposition to the finger and arranged to push the matrices ofi said rail section as they are assembledat the upper level, and automatic means for operating the assembler rail section as re-: quired.

5. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a magazine'containing a set of two-character matrices, automatic mechanism for efiecting the release of the rnatrices there- 3. In a typographical composing machine, the

from, an assembler wherein the matrices may becomposed at an upper or lower level to bring one or the other of the matrix characters into casting position, a short auxiliary rail section mounted at the receiving end of the assembler and adjustable into and out of action to control the level at which the matrices are composed, automatic means for operating said rail section, and a star wheel arranged to push the matrices off the short rail section when the latter is in action, the said star wheel being formed with reduced portions adapted when the short rail section is out of action to allow the matrices to be composed at the lower level.

6. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a magazine containing a set of two-character matrices, automatic mechanism for effecting-the release of the matrices there from, an assembler wherein the matrices may be composed at an upper or lower level to bring one or the other of the matrix characters into casting position, a short auxiliary rail section mounted at the receiving end of the assembler and adjustable into and out of action to control the level at which the matrices are composed, a. line resistant finger, a star wheel acting in opposition to the finger and arranged to push the matrices off the short rail section whenthe latter is in action, a guard or deflector adjustable into and out of the path of the incoming matrices and adapted in the inactive position of said rail section to guide the matrices to the lower level, and automatic means for adjusting the guard and rail section simultaneously.

'7. A combination as specified in claim 6, characterized by the fact that the deflector therein referred to is operatively connected to the short rail section so that as the latter is moved out of action the deflector will be moved into action, and vice versa.

8. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a magazine containing a set, of matrices, escapements controlling the release of the matrices from' the magazine, a series of power-operated reeds for actuating the escapements, a corresponding series of slides controlling the operation of said reeds, a series of locking bars cooperating directly with the slides and movable to active or inactive position singly or in groups to establish different combinations in controllingthe operation of the individual reeds, a perforated tape feed mechanism, and means responsive to certain symbols in the tape for operating the locking bars.

9. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a magazine containing matrices, escapements controlling the release of the matrices from the magazine, a series of escapement actuating reeds, power-operated devices for actuating the reeds, a corresponding series of trip dogs for controlling the operation of the reeds, means tending constantly to actuate the trip dogs, a series of locking bars cooperating directly with the trip means and movable to active or inactive position to establish releasing combinations for said dogs, a perforated tape feed mechanism, and means responsive to certain symbols in the tape for operating the looking bars singly or in groups in controlling the release of the individual trip dogs and the consequent operation of the corresponding reeds.

10. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a magazine containing matrices, escapements controlling the released the matrices irom the magazine, a series of escapernent actuating reeds, power-operated devices for actuating the reeds, a corresponding series of trip dogs for controlling the operation of the reeds, spring-actuated slides for actuating the trip dogs, a series of locking bars cooperating directly with the spring-actuated slides and movable to active or inactive position for releasing the slides to actuate the trip dogs and for lock- 

